stark.kent.edu
Excellence in Action
Dean
Message
from the
Supporting the community is fundamental for Kent State University at Stark, as it is for all public
universities. Our mission has always been to connect with our neighbors, be involved with them,
be responsive to their needs and to support the region that we serve.
At Kent State Stark, we serve our community by offering higher education at a lower cost —
even providing scholarships to help current students stay on track to graduate. We make fouryear degrees more accessible to more people. This year, we expanded our number of transfer
agreements with two-year institutions, like Stark State College, to encourage associate degree
holders who want to continue toward a bachelor’s degree.
Our top-quality faculty share insights with the public, serving as resources on subjects from
the environment to the job market to finance. We help budding entrepreneurs blossom with
LaunchPad, a new national program that turns ideas into businesses. And for established
businesses, we offer an array of training and support through The Corporate University.
This issue of Encompass touches on these community benefits and more.
Photo by J. Albert Studios
As you read these pages, we continue to seek more opportunities to serve. Whether that means
more occasions to welcome the public to our campus or more ways to reach out to those offcampus, community will always be at the heart of Kent State Stark.
Walter F. Wagor, Ph.D.
Dean and Chief Administrative Officer
stark.kent.edu
Encompass
Spring 2014 Vol. 6 Issue 2
14-0175
Kent State University at Stark Faculty
Council Officers 2013-14:
Dr. Thomas Norton-Smith, chair
Dr. Lee Fox, vice chair
Dr. Kim Finer, secretary
Dr. Leslie Heaphy, treasurer
Kent State University at Stark Cabinet Members:
Dr. Walter F. Wagor, dean
Dr. A. Bathi Kasturiarachi, interim assistant dean
for academic affairs
Mary Southards, assistant dean for
enrollment management
Tina L. Biasella, director of external affairs
Kent State University, Kent State and KSU are registered trademarks and may not be used without permission.
Spring 2014
encompass | page 2
For additional copies of Encompass, please
contact the Kent State Stark
External Affairs Office at 330-244-3224.
Editor and Photography:
Mike Rich, marketing coordinator
Editor: Cynthia Williams, PR coordinator
Design: Grabowski & Company
Articles: Kate Rein, Wolf Creek Publications
Math Teacher
Marine | 12
Vitamin C | 10
Art At Work | 14
Community
Good | 4
Faculty
Spotlight | 16
Looking
Development
Spotlight | 20
stark.kent.edu
New
Admins | 22
24
Back
page 3
Junior psychology major Hollie Bandy decided
to pursue a bachelor's degree because of Kent State
Stark's close commute and affordability. She is one
of hundreds of Stark State College graduates who
have applied their two-year degree toward a
four-year degree at Kent State Stark.
COMMU
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Kent State Stark makes our region better by helping
more residents enjoy the benefits of higher education.
What’s the point of higher education? Most colleges and
universities will tell you it’s more than learning for the
sake of learning.
The real goal is to foster well-rounded individuals.
To prepare them for success in the community, where
they live and work and raise a family. To develop
responsible citizens (local, global and corporate) who are
equipped to give back and change things for the better.
That’s especially true of Kent State University at Stark.
Our mission is to help more people in our region enjoy
these benefits of higher education. It’s our way of making
our community better.
Most of our 5,000 students come from Stark County.
Many never leave. In the meantime, they get a major
university experience in their own backyard: complete
academic programs, financial support and the little extras
that give them a running start — and keep them running.
UNITYGOOD
COMPLETE DEGREES
T
hirty years ago, classes at Kent State
University at Stark were just the appetizer
to a four-year degree that had to be
finished at the Kent Campus or another
university. Today, they’re the main course
for more than 20 bachelor’s and master’s
degrees that students can earn without
ever leaving the Stark County campus.
“Bachelor’s degrees at Kent State Stark have been
emerging quietly since the early 1980s, starting with
English and history,” says Mary Southards, assistant
dean for enrollment management. “In the last 10 years,
stark.kent.edu
stark.kent.edu
however, we’ve introduced many more as the state has
expanded the mission of regional campuses in order to
increase the number of Ohioans with bachelor’s degrees.”
Having the option to complete a bachelor’s or master’s
degree at Kent State Stark is a help to many local
residents, says Deborah Speck, director of admissions.
“More students today are time-constrained, whether due
to family or job responsibilities,” she says. “They aren’t
necessarily looking to move away to earn a college degree,
nor do they want to drive out of the area to attend classes.
At Kent State Stark, they have full access to a public
university without going too far from home.”
LivingGood
Well | page 5
Community
FROM STARK TO FINISH
The close commute and affordability are what enticed psychology
major Hollie Bandy to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Bandy earned
an associate degree in psychology from Stark State College in
December and became a full-time undergrad at Kent State Stark
in January.
She is one of hundreds of Stark State students who have
transferred to apply their two-year degree toward a four-year
degree. Many more are expected due to Kent State University’s
new articulation agreements with Stark State.
The articulation agreements allow Stark State students to transfer
almost all of their credits to a Kent State University program
in the same or similar field. For example, a student with an
associate degree in marketing can transition seamlessly into their
junior year at Kent State Stark, working toward a bachelor’s
in marketing.
“In the past, we had two articulation agreements,” says Dr. A.
Bathi Kasturiarachi, interim assistant dean of academic affairs.
“This year, we multiplied the opportunities for Stark State students,
and we will be heavily promoting them with fresh marketing.”
Transferring to Kent State Stark is a natural progression
for Stark State students, he adds. For one, they’re already
comfortable with our campus since they share our library,
student center and other facilities.
Stark State students who have a 2.5 or higher grade point average
don’t pay the Kent State Stark application fee. And potential
transfer students can sample Kent State Stark by taking one free
course per semester while they attend Stark State.
Bandy took an art history class and fulfilled part of her Kent core
requirements even before becoming a Kent State Stark student.
The free class helped her decide to transfer, she said.
“I did not expect to transfer at first,” says Bandy. “I just wanted to
see how far I could go with my education by taking the first step
at Stark State.”
Now on track for her bachelor’s degree, Bandy’s future goals
include earning a master’s and doctorate in psychology and
becoming a clinical psychologist. She’s a prime example of how
Kent State Stark is strengthening the region by infusing the job
market with qualified graduates.
“More people in this area are earning bachelor’s and master’s
degrees because of Kent State Stark,” says Southards. “If we
weren’t here, thousands of individuals might not be going to
college right now.”
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These bachelor’s degrees
are currently available in their
entirety at Kent State Stark:
• Biology
• Business Management
• Communication Studies
• Computer Design, Animation &
Game Design
• Criminology & Justice Studies
• English
• Family Life Education
• Fine Arts
• History
• Integrative Studies
• Marketing
• Mathematics
• Middle Childhood Education
• Music Technology
• Nursing
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Technical & Applied Studies
So are these
advanced degrees:
• Master of Business Administration
(part-time M.B.A.)
• Master of Education (M.Ed.)
or Master of Arts (M.A.) with
an emphasis in Curriculum
& Instruction Studies
• Master of Arts (M.A.) in
Mathematics for Secondary
Teachers
FINANCIAL HELP ALL FOUR YEARS
A
lmost 80 percent of Kent State University at Stark students apply for and receive federal financial aid.
But federal loans and grants don’t always cover every need. That’s why Kent State Stark also provides
student scholarships — to give freshmen a jump-start, to keep sophomores and juniors on track and
to help seniors cross the finish line.
“Our goal is for students to graduate,” says Mary Southards, assistant dean for enrollment
management. “Scholarships help us reward those who are making good
progress and keep them going.”
This year, Kent State Stark increased scholarship awards by $300,000 due to
increased tuition, bringing the total award allocation to $1.1 million. Kent State
University trustees approved the 1.5 percent tuition increase to benefit students
as financial assistance.
Out of those funds, Kent State Stark created four new scholarships:
Freshman Achievement Scholarship — for incoming freshmen, direct
from high school, with a 3.0 or higher grade point average (GPA) and 21
or higher ACT score. Sixty freshmen received this scholarship this year.
Amounts ranged from several hundred dollars to full scholarships.
“Money was one of the largest concerns when I was choosing a school,”
says freshman JD Ryder.
Ryder was the 2013 valedictorian of East Canton High School. Now a
chemistry major, he hopes to one day work for a fracking company to
improve the process and public understanding of safety measures.
“The Freshman Achievement Scholarship covered all of my tuition and part
of my books,” says Ryder. “It meant I could afford to go to college.”
Junior Renewal Scholarship — for students who received a freshman
scholarship in 2011, had it renewed for their sophomore year in 2012 and
maintained a 2.75 or higher GPA. Before this year, Kent State Stark didn’t
have funding to renew freshman/sophomore scholarships for
an additional two years. With this new scholarship, the
campus was able to help keep 16 juniors working
toward their degrees.
“In the spring, I will be heading to Kent
Campus for some classes and my tuition
will be getting more expensive,” says
junior Paige Bolon, who is pursuing
a bachelor’s degree in finance. “The
Junior Renewal Scholarship will
help with the additional costs. It
also takes off some of the financial
pressure so I can work a little less
and have more time to study.”
“This scholarship makes the
difference between working
a third job and working on
my senior honors thesis.”
— Benjamin Comshaw-Arnold,
senior history major
stark.kent.edu
stark.kent.edu
Community Good | page 7
Senior Achievement Scholarship — for seniors on
track to graduate in four years. Amounts range from $500 to
$1,500, depending on GPA. More than 30 seniors received the
scholarship this year.
“This scholarship makes the difference between working a third
job and working on my senior honors thesis,” says Benjamin
Comshaw-Arnold, who will graduate this spring with a B.A. in
history. “Now I can focus more on my academics, which has
always been my top priority.”
After graduation, Comshaw-Arnold intends to pursue a
doctorate and become a professor of medieval history.
Campus Grants/Scholarship — for any student with
financial needs unmet by Federal Pell Grants. Amounts range
from $500 to $2,000, depending on GPA. More than 160
students received the scholarship this year.
“Not all scholarships are huge amounts, but they make a huge
difference to lots of Kent State Stark students — they did for
nearly 600 this year alone,” says Gail Pukys, assistant director
of financial aid. “They can be just what some need to finish
their degree.”
COLLEGE EXPERIENCE
f going to college is about preparing the whole person for
success — not just the intellectual part — there’s more to it
than lectures and textbooks. Kent State University at Stark
adds the little extras that help students make the most of their
college experience.
“We take great care of our students,” says Kristi Yerian, assistant
director of First Year Experience. “We have a variety of programs
to help students make connections with one another, learn about
the university and get started on the right foot.”
First Step — a full day on campus, when incoming freshmen
become familiar with FlashLine (the university intranet); get
their FLASHcard student ID; learn about paying tuition; and
meet administrators and other incoming freshmen. Students
also meet with academic advisors and register for fall classes.
Summer Service Projects — opportunities to build
relationships with other new students while helping the
community. Past projects have included working at the AkronCanton Regional Foodbank and cleaning up Stark County parks.
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Smart Start Saturday — orientation held on the Saturday
before classes start. “It helps ease the jitters about starting
college,” says Yerian. Students can explore campus and find
their classrooms; attend breakout sessions about time
management and student organizations, among others;
purchase their books; learn about parking and security;
and more. It wraps up with a campus cookout and music.
First Year Experience (FYE) — a one-credit course required
for all new Kent State Stark students to learn about campus
resources and services, choosing a major and more.
FYE Success Series — optional workshops to help first-
year students succeed. Topics range from responsibility to
relationships and from stress to studying.
These programs help students acclimate to life on campus, as
well as to life as a responsible adult. But there’s a transition for
parents too, says Yerian.
“At First Step and Smart Start Saturday programs, we talk
to parents about encouraging their child to become more
independent,” says Yerian. “This often involves showing
parents what resources are available to students, and giving
them permission to step back and even let their child
make mistakes. We discuss strategies for building trust and
communication, accountability and personal well-being.”
Together, parents and Kent State Stark faculty and staff can help
students earn more than a college degree. They can help them
gain confidence and experience, and prepare them to become
responsible members of the community.
Benefits of a College Degree
According to the College Board:
• Graduates with bachelor’s degrees earn nearly
double the average annual income of those with
no college degree.
• College graduates are less likely to experience
unemployment.
• Higher education is associated with better health,
regardless of age or income.
• Educated individuals are more likely to volunteer,
vote and raise healthier, better-educated children.
Parents: 4 Ways
to Help Your
Student Succeed
Helping your kids through high school may have meant
driving them to activities and ensuring they did their
homework. Helping your kids through college is a
different story.
According to Kristi Yerian, assistant director of First Year
Experience, parents need to learn how to manage college
life just like their college-student kids. Here are the top
four ways parents can help their students succeed at
Kent State University at Stark:
1) Empower them to become independent
Allow them to navigate the system themselves, including
registering for classes and meeting course requirements.
Kent State Stark makes it easy with approachable
Student Services staff members who will keep them on
track to graduation.
2) Include them in all conversations
Discuss tuition and financial aid with them, so they
understand how paying for college works.
TIP: To avoid unnecessary debt, only accept the amount
of financial aid needed, not necessarily the total offered.
3) Encourage them to get involved
College is what you make of it, says Yerian. Students
should join an organization or participate in campus
activities. These extra-curriculars help connect students
with similar interests, as well as faculty and staff who
just might serve as job references one day.
4) Advise them to seek help when they need it
They should take advantage of the free tutoring services
and talk to professors during office hours. Confidential
counseling services are available, if needed.
stark.kent.edu
stark.kent.edu
Community Good | page 9
Admissions Specialist Linda
Harsh Retires After 47 Years
Linda Harsh was a junior at Lehman High School when
she started working for Kent State University’s “Canton
Academic Center” in the high school's basement. Upon
graduation in 1966, she dove right into what would become a
47-year career with Kent State University at Stark—with
a beginning salary of $0.60 per hour. Harsh retired this
past December as an admissions specialist in the Office
of Student Services.
Through the decades, Harsh held various clerical positions in
admissions and student affairs.
“When I started working in high school, students would
submit paper applications that they wrote by hand,” says
Harsh. “Registration was done by staff members sitting at
tables in Lehman’s home economics classroom. They would
hand-write students’ names on class lists.”
At one time, Harsh was the only admissions processor,
managing all applications and transcripts and handling
all admission inquiries. She watched technology advance
from typewriter to word processor to personal computer
and saw Kent State Stark’s student population grow. Today,
processing applications has become more automated — a far
cry from the days when Harsh typed all information for each
student into a computer program.
“I have loved working at Kent State Stark all these years and
will miss my co-workers and bosses,” says Harsh.
She looks forward to spending more time with her husband,
reading, working on knitting projects and trying out all the
recipes in the cookbooks she’s never had time to open.
T
ammy Garrett is “accommodating” —
at least according to a recent style
assessment. The administrative
assistant at Colfor Manufacturing is
the first to admit she’s a peacekeeper.
Put her in the middle of a conflict and she’ll do
whatever it takes to resolve it.
But being “accommodating” doesn’t always
make a good supervisor. Garrett learned
that last fall when earning her Certificate of
Supervision from The Corporate University, Kent
State University at Stark. While not officially
a supervisor, she uses similar skills when
performing human resources functions
for Colfor’s hourly workforce.
“During the eight-hour training, I learned that all
conflict isn’t bad,” says Garrett. “Conflict can
actually help your business or relationship grow.
Being accommodating isn’t always the best path.
I need to work on my own goals, along with the
goals of others.”
Garrett enthusiastically brought this and other
lessons back to the office and intends to use
her new conflict-management and team-building
strategies. Consider Garrett as a dose of vitamin
C (“conflict capability”) — a boost of wellness
for her employer.
workforce nutrition
Faith Sheaffer-Polen, director of The Corporate
University, has hundreds more stories like
Garrett’s — stories of people who turned
to Kent State Stark for help developing job
skills, improving their organization or earning
certification or continuing-education credits.
“We talk to companies about what they’re
doing, what’s happening in the marketplace and
their challenges,” says Sheaffer-Polen. “And
then we start thinking about the training and
development we could offer to help them meet
their goals. We provide the curriculum, materials
and instructors and free them to focus on
building their business.”
At its core, The Corporate University is all
about feeding local talent and strengthening
our region’s market. It educates working
professionals — typically from small to mid-size
companies in Stark and surrounding counties —
so they can make their organizations healthier.
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vitaminc
The Corporate University boosts wellness
in the Stark County business community.
On The Corporate University’s Menu:
Certificate Training.
“People often get promoted due to a strong technical skill,
but then realize they need to develop softer skills, such
as communication and leadership,” says Sheaffer-Polen.
That’s where a Certificate of Supervision or a Certificate
of Management can supplement. Supervisory training
includes instruction on decision making, team building,
managing conflict and more. Management training
includes topics, such as coaching, directing meetings and
leading change.
Lean Six Sigma.
This methodology streamlines waste out of processes
and targets error-free business performance.
It started in manufacturing and now is used by
hospitals, educational institutions and others. The
Corporate University is one of few Lean Six Sigma
program providers that offer all training live and face
to face. Attendees realize an average 28-to-1 return on
investment from the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt training—
which draws attendees from all over the United States
and as far away as Greenland.
Surveys and Research.
Organizations turn to The Corporate University for
customized surveys (on employee or customer opinion,
for example). Employee surveys are complimentary and
many clients come back for longitudinal results that show
improvement over a series of years, says Sheaffer-Polen.
The team also can provide other types of qualitative and
quantitative research to help companies make strategic,
data-driven decisions.
Knowledge Network.
Companies buy soft-skill training in bulk for their
employees. They choose a set number of training days
for a deeply discounted, one-time fee. The package also
includes one customized survey and free entry into Best
Practices Panel discussions (see info at right).
Small Business Development Center.
Local start-ups and small businesses can obtain free
training and counseling from certified business advisors.
Training includes topics, such as choosing the right
business type for you; liability, zoning and naming the
business; adding employees; and financing.
stark.kent.edu
SCORE.
Entrepreneurs learn from retired business leaders
and current small business owners who volunteer
their expertise on writing business plans, marketing,
accounting and more.
Best Practices Panels.
These quarterly discussions explore hot topics for
business leaders. Experts share what’s working at their
organizations. This year's topics include the Affordable
Care Act, challenging HR situations and onboarding.
Human Resources Symposium.
HR professionals can earn six HR Certification
Institute credits at this annual, one-day event. Keynote
presentations and breakout sessions discuss preparing
yourself and your workforce for the future.
Save the date: Thursday, July 24, 2014.
Free Webinars.
Free online courses! Learn technical skills, such as
mediating conflict and using pivot tables in Microsoft Excel.
BELTSS Conference.
Nursing home administrators can earn six continuingeducation credits at this one-day conference.
Save the date: Thursday, March 13, 2014.
supplementing our economy
Approximately 4,700 professionals per year take
advantage of programs at The Corporate University.
Most are local residents.
“All of us live in a culture of lifetime learning,” says
Sheaffer-Polen. “Everyone, no matter their job title,
needs to continually upgrade their skills to stay
globally competitive.”
As people develop job skills, businesses get stronger.
As businesses get stronger, communities get healthier,
she adds.
Consider The Corporate University as a dose of vitamin C
(“competitiveness”) — a boost of wellness for Stark County.
Vitamin C | page 11
it teaches you n
your education fo
arine Staff Sergeant Herb Dover knows
the adrenaline of attack sirens and security
breaches. He has braced for the blast of
Iraqi Scud missiles and emptied sweat
out of his gas mask. He has been a strong
shoulder for emotionally distraught troops
and a reassuring presence for families
visiting wounded warriors.
Despite the grit of military life, the Kent State University at
Stark alumnus claims he’s still easygoing and soft-spoken
— although maybe a little more direct.
Boots on the Ground
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Dover joined the United States Marine Corps in 2002, right
after graduating from Canton McKinley High School. He’d
always wanted to become a Marine and saw it as his ticket
to higher education.
“No one in my family had gone to college and they all
said I should go,” says Dover. “But after basic training,
I came home and was immediately deployed to Iraq. I was
heartbroken!”
Fortunately, his duties in Iraq as a dispatcher and convoy
coordinator ended a few months later and Dover returned
home to continue his charge to a college degree. A friend
who was a financial aid advisor at Kent State Stark helped
him fill out student aid paperwork.
That’s when Dover started classes at Kent State Stark.
A bachelor’s in math became his target. But four years
later and a few courses shy of his degree, Dover was
called back to Iraq. Instead of algebra and analysis, he
returned to security detail, including guarding three of
his fellow Marines — from themselves.
“It wasn’t combat, but suicide watch was a tough
assignment,” says Dover. “I really learned how to read
people and learned how there’s no cookie-cutter way to
handle individuals. Some respond well to tough talk
and yelling, some need to be treated more gently.”
Through that experience, Dover says he became
more humble.
“I had heard about teamwork through youth sports, but it
didn’t become real to me until Iraq,” he says. “I began to
fully understand the importance of helping each other and
working together through challenges.”
He took those learnings with him on another tour of duty
in Afghanistan in 2010, and then to Landstuhl, Germany,
in 2011. There, he served as a Marine liaison to wounded
service people and their families at the U.S. military
Spring 2014
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not to stop
or anything.
— Marine Staff Sergeant Herb Dover
hospital. As amputees, quadriplegics and other injured
troops came to the hospital, Dover visited with them,
explained procedures and helped them get services
they needed.
Troops to Teachers
While stationed in Germany, Dover finally had the
opportunity to take his last few college courses — online
through Kent State University — and earn his math
degree. That’s when his career vision started to shift
from tactics to textbooks.
“One of my friends in Germany was a schoolteacher with
the U.S. Department of Defense,” says Dover. “She told
me about Troops to Teachers, a program that helps vets
with bachelor’s degrees earn teaching certificates in their
home states.”
With his life experience, people skills and new bachelor’s
degree, Dover was ready for deployment of a new kind —
teaching in a high school. He completed his assignment
in Germany, returned to Canton and met with a Troops
to Teachers advisor. The advisor helped him become
licensed as a substitute teacher in Stark County.
Dover defines his classroom style as “firm but fair,” a
reflection of military structure and discipline. He credits
exposure to different cultures and religions for his
unbiased understanding of students and their behavior.
Chemistry Students Get an
Edge with Online Program
Fact: General Chemistry I is hard.
Judging by student outcomes, it’s traditionally one of the
most difficult first-year courses at Kent State University.
Even science majors have said so. But the Kent State
Chemistry Department has introduced a way to improve
student success.
As of fall 2013, students are required to take the ALEKS
(Assessing and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces) Chemistry
assessment before starting General Chemistry I. The online
program tests students on 90 topics, including algebra,
measurement, matter and molecules. Students who do not
get a perfect score on the test can take tutorials to learn or
relearn topics, all from the comfort of their home computer.
Only students who show 100 percent mastery on the test or
tutorials may continue with General Chemistry I.
“Eighty-six percent of Kent State Stark students intending
to take General Chemistry I mastered ALEKS Chemistry this
summer,” says Lisa Hart, director of Academic Services.
Even before taking the test, many students took advantage
of optional refresher sessions at the Kent State Stark's
Academic Success Center. That was a testament to their
personal motivation, Hart added.
“The hard work students did for the ALEKS Chemistry
assessment has reinforced a foundation of knowledge to
help them succeed in this traditionally challenging course,”
says Hart.
Today, Dover is working on a full teaching license and
is back in class at Kent State Stark.
“I need about four more education courses to earn a
full teaching license,” he says. “Eventually, I want to
get a master’s degree, maybe in education or math
or counseling.”
Once a Marine, Always a Marine
But what if he gets deployed again?
“I’d be willing to go, but I don’t think it’ll happen,”
says Dover, referencing the U.S. military drawdown in
Afghanistan and reductions in military spending. “The
military is like a big brother. It’s constantly with you,
helping you improve. And it teaches you not to stop
your education for anything.”
He’s following his orders. From Iraq to Afghanistan to
Germany to Canton, Staff Sergeant Dover’s educational
dreams are alive and well at Kent State Stark.
stark.kent.edu
Math Teacher
Pipe Perfect
Marine | page 13
in
her Kent State University at Stark painting
class, Christina (Fisk) Lorman learned much
more than art skills and fundamentals. She
discovered firsthand how painting could relieve
stress. Three years later, Lorman has a degree
in psychology, a minor in fine arts and
a budding career in art therapy.
She’s not the only Kent State Stark student or alumni to turn a love
for art into a career that crosses fields. Illustrator Jacqueline Dillard
worked with Northeast Ohio Medical University scientist Hans
Thewissen on a book about whale evolution. Spencer Molnar uses
his printmaking skills as a silk screener for a promotional products
company. Megan Germano is combining her ceramics experience
and communication skills into a career as an art teacher.
ARTAT
Today, more art students are using their skills outside a traditional fine
arts field. And that’s led Kent State Stark to begin offering a Bachelor’s
of Arts (B.A.) in Fine Arts degree — an alternative to a Bachelor’s of
Fine Arts (B.F.A.).
work
Senior Spencer Molnar is using his artistic skills in business, working
as a silk screener for a promotional products company. Kent State
Stark's new Bachelor's of Arts in Fine Arts degree is suited for students
like Molnar who pursue art careers outside a traditional fine arts field.
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Organizations of all kinds, including
marketing, education and technology, need creative problem solvers and
visual communicators.
Flexible, Broader Degree
The B.A. in fine arts program began in fall 2013. Compared to a
B.F.A., it allows students to take a wider array of studio courses
and general electives.
“Our B.A. in fine arts is a flexible and broader degree for students
who want a more liberal arts education,” says Associate Professor
Jack McWhorter, Art Department coordinator. “As with other
degrees, students can create the blend of courses that best suits
their skills and ambitions.”
Like those in the B.F.A. program, students pursuing a B.A. in fine
arts will develop craftsmanship, as well as critical- and creativethinking skills. But they’ll also take more liberal arts classes,
fostering skills that will appeal to employers in the fine arts field
and beyond.
Beyond Creativity
Take it from Ann Conkle, executive vice president at Communication
Exhibits, Inc. (CEI), a company in Canal Fulton, Ohio, that creates
trade show exhibits, permanent lobby installations and museum
displays. CEI employs a full staff of designers specializing in
graphics, engineering, building and interactive design.
“In business, artists don’t just create,” Conkle says. “They need to
consider budgets, timeframes and other pieces of the puzzle. They
need to understand the end result — if their artwork will be enlarged
as a mural or need to stand up, for example. Design is part of
everything we do, but it isn’t everything.”
stark.kent.edu
Thinking creatively across disciplines is well-suited to students with
a B.A. in fine arts, according to Carey McDougall, assistant professor
of art. They are primed to be the continuous learners and innovators
that modern workplaces need.
“In all of our art classes, we ask students what questions they want
to pose with their artwork and what discussions they want to spark,”
says McDougall. “Successful companies do the same, continuously
asking hard questions and driving discussions. Our students are
prepared to contribute in that kind of environment.”
Opening New Doors for Art Majors
A B.A. in fine arts is not only valuable for companies focused on
art and design. Organizations of all kinds, including marketing,
education and technology, need creative problem solvers and visual
communicators, says McDougall.
Kent State Stark’s new program promises to open new doors for art
students, including potential opportunities with CEI. McDougall and
Conkle currently are developing a CEI internship program just for
Kent State Stark students.
“Most of our designers aren’t from this area,” says Conkle. “But
we’d prefer to hire local people who already feel at home here and
will stay long term.”
She’ll soon have even more qualified candidates from Kent State
Stark. And so will the rest of Stark County’s business community.
“Artists with a liberal arts education can bring countless new ideas
to workplaces and help employers move forward,” says McDougall.
Art At Work | page 15
G reat professors are magicians who
Meet some of the
renowned academics
who make Kent State
Stark the “best-kept
secret in Stark County.”
transform subjects you loathe into subjects
you love. They’re cultivators who nurture
high school grads into able professionals.
They’re sleuths who uncover truths
through their research that change how
others view reality.
At Kent State University at Stark, great
professors are plentiful. All 121 full-time
faculty hold a Ph.D. or terminal degree in
their field. Many have come from some of
the highest-regarded schools in the nation.
“We have the same high-quality faculty as
a private liberal arts school,” says Dr. A.
Bathi Kasturiarachi, interim assistant dean
of academic affairs. “But our students don’t
pay the high tuition to learn from them.
Kent State Stark is the best-kept secret in
Stark County.”
Great Profe
The
Spring 2014
encompass | page 16
The university isn’t trying to keep the secret, however. Its faculty
frequently engage with the community, offering insights and
counsel. For example, economics professors participate in
forums and talk to reporters about economic growth and the
job market. Geography and geology professors are resources
on fracking issues. Biology faculty talk about environmental
issues. Math faculty lead discussions and offer consultation
on finance and analytics. And that’s just the beginning.
In the classroom, Kent State Stark professors do even more to
benefit the region, one student at a time.
“When you walk into one of our classrooms, it’s evident that
Kent State Stark is a hub of innovation,” says Kasturiarachi.
“Students are active and engaged — not just in class, but in the
field. Many faculty involve our undergrads in their research.
That’s not something you find at every university.”
See it for yourself. Here’s a look at just three of the outstanding
faculty at Kent State Stark.
essors
Leslie Heaphy, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
History
Dr. Leslie Heaphy loves baseball — but not
like your typical sports fan. The associate
professor of history at Kent State Stark is
a nationally recognized expert on baseball
history, particularly the Negro Leagues and
women’s baseball.
“History, in general, helps us understand
ourselves and our families and why we do
things a certain way,” says Heaphy. “Sports
history is just as valuable, especially studying
stories behind the players and variations of
games — why they’re played differently in
different places, for example.”
Critics have called Heaphy’s 2002 book, The
Negro Leagues, 1869–1960, an “essential
piece to your baseball history collection.”
She also has published dozens of other
books, articles and encyclopedia entries on
African-Americans and women in baseball
and is editor of the national, peer-reviewed
journal Black Ball. In 2006, Heaphy served
on the selection committee for the National
Baseball Hall of Fame, one of 10 experts who
appointed worthy inductees.
At Kent State Stark, students don’t necessarily
know Heaphy as a renowned scholar. They
know her as an engaging professor with a
conversational teaching style who sparks
their interest and enthusiasm in U.S., Asian
and sports history. Student nominations
led Heaphy to win a 2013 Distinguished
Teaching Award, Kent State University’s most
prestigious honor for educators.
“You have to love what you do. That’s what
comes across in the classroom,” says Heaphy.
“It’s exciting and fulfilling to watch students
develop a love of their own. They get inspired
to do their own research and can’t wait to
come back and tell me what they found.”
stark.kent.edu
Faculty Spotlight | page 17
“One of the things I enjoy most about teaching is hearing
a student say ‘I’m not good at science,’ and then helping
them discover they actually are.”
— Carrie Schweitzer, Ph.D., Professor, Geology
When Dr. Ruth Capasso retired as Kent State Stark’s faculty administrator, Dr. A.
Bathi Kasturiarachi stepped in as the interim assistant dean of academic affairs.
Since July, he has been charged with directing and recruiting Kent State Stark
faculty, assisting in curriculum and program development and coordinating the
course schedule on the Stark Campus, as well as assisting Dean Walter F. Wagor.
“My job includes effectively serving the curricular and professional development
needs of the expert and exceptional Stark Campus faculty,” says Kasturiarachi.
“I also plan and coordinate course offerings and degree programs to benefit Kent
State Stark students.”
A. Bathi Kasturiarachi, Ph.D.
Interim Assistant Dean
Associate Professor
Mathematics
Spring 2014
encompass | page 18
Ranked as an associate professor of mathematics, Kasturiarachi began teaching
at Kent State Stark in 1995, and has served as the campus coordinator of
the Math Department, Stark Campus’ largest academic department. He was
instrumental in establishing the Kent State Stark Math Club, in addition to
organizing the annual Stark County High School Mathematics Challenge.
Since becoming interim assistant dean, Kasturiarachi is making even more of an
impact at Kent State Stark. After examining the Stark Campus course offerings,
he set a goal to develop a healthier balance of face-to-face classes augmented
with strategic online courses. “I have proposed expanding the number of majors
and minors we offer at Stark,” he says, adding that discussions have already
begun with selected Kent Campus departments, as well as with the Academic
Planning Committee at Kent State Stark.
Chinese Artist Jiang Shiguo
Visits Stark Campus
Carrie Schweitzer, Ph.D.
Professor
Geology
A member of Kent State Stark’s Department of Geology
since 2000, Dr. Carrie Schweitzer is an internationally
recognized expert in decapod crustaceans — shrimp,
lobsters and crabs. In addition to teaching introductory
geology courses at Kent State Stark, she conducts
research at the Kent Campus, often collaborating with
past and current Kent State Stark students. Her field work
and museum work has spanned five continents. Students
often accompany her on trips to collect specimens.
Currently, she is principal investigator on a National
Science Foundation grant to study diversity patterns
in fossil decapods and co-principal investigator on a
National Geographic Society grant to continue research in
China, where she has worked the past three summers.
Schweitzer has published more than 120 technical
books and papers since 1997 — an uncommonly large
number for college faculty. She is co-author of the
revised Decapoda volume of the Treatise on Invertebrate
Paleontology, a benchmark for research in her field.
Mr. Jiang Shiguo, dean of the College of Fine Arts and
Design at Hebei Normal University in China, visited Kent
State University at Stark in September to demonstrate
contemporary Chinese painting. His presentation drew a
large group of art students, several of whom had met him
in fall 2012 during a university study-abroad experience
in China.
A talented artist, Shiguo showed the crowd a slideshow
of his paintings, spanning 20 years. His work, which
ranges from abstract to traditional, uses an ink wash
painting technique on rice paper and other textiles.
“There is an inter-dependent relationship between
humans and nature,” says Shiguo, describing how the
themes of beautiful life, love, happiness and freedom are
depicted in his works.
The students watched as Shiguo quickly sketched an
abstract drawing of a landscape and Chinese couple and
then began adding color with traditional ink sticks and
hair brushes. He later shared his rice paper and ink sticks
with several students, inviting them to try the ink wash
technique.
“The American students are very creative and openminded,” says Shiguo. “It is my hope that my faculty and
senior students will have an opportunity to visit here. We
could learn from the American students’ enlightening
approach and methods, and we would all benefit from
this face-to-face connection.”
Her skills and abilities have twice won nominations for
the Charles Schuchert Award, given annually to the most
promising paleontologist under the age of 40 by the
Paleontological Society. In 2013, she was one of three
faculty to earn Kent State’s Outstanding Research and
Scholar Award.
“One of the things I enjoy most about teaching is hearing
a student say ‘I’m not good at science,’ and then helping
them discover they actually are,” says Schweitzer.
stark.kent.edu
Faculty Spotlight | page 19
Science-related programs continue to flourish at Kent State University at Stark. And student
enrollment continues to grow. No time like the present to invest in future scientists and health
care providers.
That’s why Kent State Stark has begun construction on a new Sciences Building, planned
to open in fall 2015. Designed to be the campus’s anchor for sciences and health sciences
departments, the 41,140-square-foot building and 5,250 square feet of remodeled lab space
in Main Hall will serve chemistry, biology, geology, physics and nursing disciplines. The new
building will connect to Main Hall’s East Wing through a bridge/lounge on the second floor.
bio
The Kent State Stark Sciences Building will be a
$17 million investment in the region’s science
and health care industries.
This $17 million project will include:
•
Contemporary, high-tech laboratories and equipment for each specialty. Viewing windows and exhibit spaces will put “science on display” and bring research to
life outside of the labs
•
Research space where students can gain hands-on experience, collaborating
on projects with faculty
•
Cutting-edge simulation labs to prepare nursing students for clinical work
•
An additional computer lab to benefit science, communication, business and computer science students
•
State-of-the-art classrooms, faculty offices, student lounge and group study spaces
•
Educational gardens
Environmentally friendly design
Keeping with Kent State Stark’s commitment to protect and preserve the
environment, the Sciences Building is designed with:
•
Solar-generated hot water
•
Light-harvesting technology
•
Rain gardens and bioswales for on-site rainwater management
“The Sciences Building will play a critical
role in enhancing student experiences
and developing the next generation
of scientific minds in Stark County,”
says Walter F. Wagor, dean and chief
administrative officer.
• A green roof, covered with vegetation that absorbs rainwater and provides
insulation to reduce the energy needed to moderate building temperature
•
Heat recovery chillers for energy optimization
These features will help qualify the building for LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification.
Spring 2014
encompass | page 20
Environment
for Future Scientists
Your support is welcome.
Gifts from Diebold Inc., the Hoover Foundation,
the George H. Deuble Foundation and other area
partners formed the groundwork of funding for
the Sciences Building. But financial support from
additional Kent State Stark family and friends will
make the difference between a quality building
and an exceptional teaching and learning facility.
Kent State Stark welcomes your help. Whether a
one-time contribution or a multi-year gift, there are
numerous opportunities for naming classrooms,
labs and other learning and administrative spaces.
For more information, contact the Office of
Advancement at Kent State Stark at 330-244-3225
or starkadvancement@kent.edu.
stark.kent.edu
Development Spotlight | page 21
Service at the Tap of a Touchscreen
Students at Kent State University at Stark are now using
touchscreens to request everything from financial aid advice
to a cheeseburger with bacon.
At the Office of Student Services, students can use one of three
touchscreen kiosks to make an appointment with an advisor
about academics, admissions or financial aid. In the past,
students had to sign in on a clipboard or check in at the front
counter and then wait for the receptionist to notify their advisor.
On the touchscreens, students enter their name and
identification, as well as answer questions about the service
they need. Then they receive a confirmation ticket and go to
the appropriate waiting area.
New
Administrators
at Kent State Stark
Kent State University
at Stark brings some of
the best and brightest
professionals to Stark
County. Take these
new administrators, for
example, who joined our
campus fall semester:
“Our staff has a queue on their desktop computers so they
can see who has arrived and for what service,” says Heather
Guarnieri, assistant director for academic advising. “It’s
more efficient and allows staff to gather information before
working with the student. It’s also more streamlined and more
confidential for students.”
Students follow a similar process when ordering food at
the Emporium. They customize made-to-order burgers,
sandwiches, pizzas and more by selecting items and toppings
on a touchscreen at the order counter. Order receipts
immediately print out for the customer and at the grill for
the kitchen staff. No more deciphering hand-written tickets.
“Touchscreens make orders more accurate and the whole
process faster,” says Jessica Anderson, food service manager.
“Most students prefer the new touchscreens. It’s what they’re
used to in the digital generation.”
“The passion,
idealism and
hope inherent in
the educational
pursuits at this
campus make this
an exciting, fun
and fundamentally
valuable place
to work."
— Kevin Leitner,
bookstore manager
Spring 2014
encompass | page 22
Kevin Leitner
Kevin Leitner, bookstore manager,
says his responsibilities aren’t just
managing bookstore operations, but
also “volunteering for as many campus
events as I can and becoming active in the
campus community.”
Leitner joined Kent State Stark in August
2013, after serving as a corporate trainer
for a national retailer. He instructed
others on retail management basics,
visual merchandising, business acumen,
associate engagement, customer service
and operational efficiencies.
“I am energized to be part of the Kent State
University at Stark community,” says
Leitner. “The passion, idealism and hope
inherent in the educational pursuits at
this campus make this an exciting, fun
and fundamentally valuable place to work.
I am proud to commit my life’s work to
promoting and supporting the students,
faculty and entire campus community.”
Leitner enjoys sports, reading and outdoor
activities, including hiking and camping
with his wife and three children.
La Tarsha Miller
Mike Rich
Kelly Simonis
La Tarsha Miller, business services
administrator, joined Kent State Stark
in August 2013. Her responsibilities
include managing all business aspects
of the campus, including overseeing the
bookstore, facilities and business office.
Mike Rich, marketing coordinator, comes
to Kent State Stark after serving as art
director for the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye
publication. He joined the campus in
August 2013, and now works as a graphic
designer and photographer, “promoting
all of the great people, programs and
events on Stark Campus.”
Kelly Simonis, special events coordinator,
joined Kent State Stark in December
2013. She is responsible for planning and
directing on-campus events, including
the Featured Speakers Series, Boo U and
Earth Day. She also works with outside
groups interested in holding their events
on campus, such as the Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation Fundraiser and the
American Heart Association walks.
Miller comes to our campus from Drexel
University School of Public Health, where
she was a department administrator.
Previously, she held the position of
associate director of operations at Temple
University College of Health Professions
and Social Work, as well as business
manager at the University of Toledo
College of Pharmacy.
“I knew from the first time I visited Stark
Campus that there was something special
about Kent State University,” says Miller.
“I am proud to be part of a university that
has made educating people throughout
Northeast Ohio a priority.”
Miller is pursuing a Ph.D. in higher
education administration. She enjoys
mind-calming activities like yoga and
meditation.
stark.kent.edu
Rich graduated from Kent State University
in 2002.
“I absolutely loved my college experience,”
he says. “Now I have a chance to give
back to the university that prepared me
for the real world by giving me a highquality education and offering unique and
exciting opportunities.”
After 10 years of working nights and living
out of state, Rich says he truly appreciates
spending time with family and friends,
taking long bike rides on the towpath and
going to Tribe games at Progressive Field. Simonis had been director of event
marketing for Shannon English Marketing
since 2009, where she coordinated the
Belden Village Bridal Show, Canton Senior
Expo and others.
“I am thrilled about joining the University
once again,” says Simonis, a 2010 Kent
State Stark alumna. “Stark County is so
lucky to have this campus, and I am lucky
to have the opportunity to contribute to its
mission.”
Simonis is active in yStark! as vice-chair
of the events committee. She also enjoys
exercising, traveling and spending time
with family, friends and her three-year-old
beagle/bulldog mix, Bosley.
New Administrators at Kent State Stark | page 23
Looking
Back
Stark Campus Faculty Council
Chair Encourages Fall Grads
Dr. Thomas Norton-Smith, professor of philosophy at Kent State
University at Stark and the faculty council chairperson for the
campus, delivered the convocation address at the Sixth Annual
Fall Commencement ceremony, held on December 13, 2013, at
the Umstattd Performing Arts Hall in Canton.
An enrolled member of the Piqua Sept Shawnee Tribe, NortonSmith weaved Native American folklore into his speech and
inspired the group of more than 100 Kent State graduates to
continue on the path to success and remember the valuable
lessons they learned as Stark Campus students.
Featured Speakers Teach World Peace
and Equality to the Community
The Kent State University at Stark Featured Speakers Series kicked
off its 23rd season with a fall semester that welcomed two dynamic
individuals to campus.
Teacher, musician and filmmaker John Hunter presented “World
Peace and Other 4th Grade Achievements,” titled after the awardwinning documentary about his World Peace Game. The game is a
hands-on political simulation that teaches schoolchildren the value of
communication and collaboration. In his lecture, Hunter explained how
the ideals of global harmony that fourth graders learn in the World
Peace Game can spread to community and world leaders.
Tennis champion and activist Billie Jean King presented “Pressure Is
a Privilege and Other Lessons in Business and in Life” to a capacity
crowd. She humorously recounted the defining heights of her legendary
career, including 39 Grand Slam titles and winning the 1973 Battle of
the Sexes match over Bobby Riggs. King talked about how she has used
opportunities on and off the tennis court to defend equal rights.
Spring 2014
encompass | page 24
New Entrepreneurs Prepare to Launch
Microsoft founder Bill Gates did it. So did Facebook founder
Mark Zuckerberg and Dell founder Michael Dell. College
student entrepreneurs have started some of the most
successful American businesses.
Who’s to say the next success won’t come from Kent
State University at Stark? Especially now, with help from
Blackstone LaunchPad, a national entrepreneurship program
that came to campus last fall.
Sponsored by The Blackstone Charitable Foundation and
The Burton D. Morgan Foundation, the program gives
students (as well as faculty and alumni) the skills, knowledge
and guidance to start new companies. Students partner
with coaches who help them develop their business
ideas. As ideas mature, LaunchPad connects students with
experienced entrepreneurs, lawyers, accountants, venture
capitalists and other professionals who can help bring their
businesses to market. And it’s all free.
“Entrepreneurship is a viable career path for Kent State Stark
students,” says Zach Mikrut, marketing and events manager
of LaunchPad at Kent State University. “We look forward to
helping them transform their innovative ideas into thriving
businesses that can strengthen the local economy.”
It’s already happening at Kent Campus, where LaunchPad
has been up and running since 2012. More than 350
businesses or ideas are currently under development.
Kent State freshman entrepreneurship major Krista
Jordan sells her hand-knit scarves and accessories at the
Akron-Canton Airport, at an Akron boutique and online
at www.flight4thecure.com. Ten percent of sales go toward
cancer research at Cleveland’s University Hospitals,
a tribute to Jordan’s father who died of leukemia when
she was a baby.
The Maiden’s Prayer Challenges Actors
with Edgy Roles and Adult Themes
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without LaunchPad,” says
Jordan. “I go to them with anything I’m unsure about, such
as pricing, sales tax or additional funding. Some business
owners pay thousands of dollars for advice like that. Any
student, alum or Kent State staff member looking to start a
business should start here.”
Kent State University at Stark’s first production of the
2013-14 season took the audience through the tough
turns of failed relationships, unrequited straight and gay
attraction, alcoholism and depression. Throughout these
dark themes, the well-placed humor in The Maiden’s Prayer
by Nicky Silver lightened the room with laughter.
Brian Newberg, Kent State Stark’s assistant professor of
theatre and director of campus productions, selects plays
to test the performance mettle and range of his actors. “I
don’t pick easy shows,” he says. “I strive to educate the
cast and crew. We work together to put out the best show
we possibly can.”
The spring semester productions of Cat’s-Paw and Our
House will have theatre lovers on the edge of their seats,
anticipating the thrilling outcomes of situations involving
eco-terrorism and media obsession.
stark.kent.edu
Looking
Looking Back
Back || page
page 25
25
Stark Campus Faculty Achievements
Loretta Aller, assistant professor of nursing,
presented “Integrating Simulation Technology
and Simulation in Nursing Education” at the 2013
Teaching Professor Technology and Simulation in
Nursing Education in Atlanta, Ga., Oct. 3-6, 2013.
Cynthia Barb, associate professor of mathematics,
presented “Helping Students Envision Angles
and Polygonal Properties” at the Ohio Council
of Teachers of Mathematics State Conference in
Dayton, Ohio, Oct. 17-19, 2013.
Victor Berardi, associate professor of management
and information systems, and Greg Blundell,
lecturer of management and information systems,
co-presented “A Learning Theory Approach to
Using Capture Technology in Teaching: Ideas from
Basic Lecture Capture to Student-Created Content”
at the Information Systems Educators Conference
in San Antonio, Texas, Nov. 6-10, 2013.
Katrina Bloch, assistant professor of sociology,
presented “‘It is just SICKENING’; An AntiImmigrant Group’s Online Emotional Framing” at
the Re-imaging Social Problems: Moving Beyond
Social Constructionism Conference in New York
City, N.Y., Aug. 8-13, 2013.
Moon-Heum Cho, assistant professor of education,
accomplished the following at the Association for
Educational Communications and Technology in
Anaheim, Calif., Oct. 28-Nov. 2, 2013:
Presented “Teacher Scaffolding and Students’
Academic Engagement.”
Co-presented “Innovations for Understanding
Diversity: Concepts and Realities of Poverty
through a Redesigned Education Curriculum” with
Claudia Khourey-Bowers, professor of education.
Brian Chopko, associate professor of criminology
and justice studies, presented “Prevalence and
Predictors of Suicidal Ideation Among U.S. Law
Enforcement Officers” and “Mindfulness: The
Relation with Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and
Posttraumatic Growth” at the International Society
for Traumatic Stress Studies in Philadelphia, Pa.,
Nov. 6-11, 2013.
Christina Convertino, assistant professor of
foundations, leader and administration, presented
“Border Pedagogies: Crossing the SchoolCommunity Divide” at the American Educational
Studies Association Conference in Baltimore, Md.,
Oct. 30-Nov. 3, 2013.
Julie Cremeans-Smith, assistant professor
of psychology, presented “Post-Operative Pain:
Does Trauma History Exacerbate or Mollify the
Experience?” at the American Psychological
Association in Honolulu, Hawaii, July 30Aug. 4, 2013.
Spring 2014
encompass | page 26
Jennifer Cunningham, assistant professor of
English, presented “‘Nobody Cares. For Real.’: The
Public v. Private Dichotomy When Researching in
a Digital Environment” at the National Council
of Teachers of English in Boston, Mass.,
Nov. 21-24, 2013.
Clarke Earley, associate professor of chemistry,
presented “CH5M3D: An HTML5 Javascript Library
for Building and Viewing 3D Molecular Graphics” at
the American Chemical Society National Meeting
in Indianapolis, Ind., Sept. 7-12, 2013.
Lee Fox, associate professor of psychology:
Along with Kim Finer, professor of biological
sciences; Leslie Heaphy, associate professor of
history; and Claudia Khourey-Bowers, professor
of education, co-presented “Using Interdisciplinary
Courses to Develop a Global Commons Mindset”
at the Association of American Colleges and
Universities in Providence, R.I., Oct. 4-5, 2013.
Gro Hovhannisyan, associate professor
of mathematics:
Presented “Ablowitz-Ladik Hierarchy of Integrable
Equations on a Time Scale” at the Peterson
Conference at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln,
Oct. 25-27, 2013.
Published On Oscillations of Solutions of N-th
Order Dynamic Equation in ISRN Mathematical
Analysis, volume 2013 (11 pages).
Published Stability of Planar Nonautonomous
Dynamic Systems in Advances in Difference
Equations, 2013 (38 pages).
Peter Kratcoski, adjunct professor of sociology:
Presented “Organized Crime and Informal
Economy: A Comparative Study of Austria,
Slovenia and the United States” and “A Roundtable
on Corrections in the United States” at the
International Police Executive Symposium in
Budapest, Hungary, Aug. 4-9, 2013.
Presented “Promoting Civic Engagement
in Interdisciplinary Courses” at the National
Collegiate Honors Council in New Orleans, La.,
Nov. 8-11, 2013.
Presented “Prevention and Control of Financial
Crimes: A Cross-Cultural Comparison/Poster
Session on Comparing School Crime and Violence
in Austria with That in the U.S.” at the Society
for Police and Criminal Psychologists in Ottawa,
Canada, Sept. 24-30, 2013.
Mary Gallagher, assistant professor of
sociology, presented “Role Identity Aspirations
and Obligations: An Identity Model of Self
and Psychological Distress” at the American
Sociological Association in New York, N.Y.,
Aug. 11, 2013.
Authored the Forward section in Child and Youth
Misbehaviour in South Africa by Christiaan
Bezuidenhout, 3rd. ed. (Hatfield, Pretoria, South
Africa: Van Schaik Publishers (2013), XV-XVI).
Kim Garchar, assistant professor of philosophy,
presented “Re-Visioning and Re-Marketing the
Liberal Arts for the 21st Century” at the American
Conference of Academic Deans in Memphis, Tenn.,
Oct. 17-19, 2013.
Michele Heron, assistant professor of education,
presented “Reasoning and Proof through Student
Discourse” at the National Council of Teachers of
Mathematics Conference in Las Vegas, Nev.,
Oct. 24-26, 2013.
Erin Hollenbaugh, associate professor of
communication studies:
Presented “Critiquing and Writing About New
Media: Assignments that Apply Communication
Concepts to Popular Media” at the Ohio
Communication Association at Marietta College,
Marietta, Ohio, Oct. 4-5, 2013.
Presented “Making Connections between
Facebook and Self-Disclosure: Examining the Role
of Traits, Social Cohesion and Motives”
at the National Communication Association in
Washington, D.C., Nov. 20-24, 2013.
Keith Lloyd, associate professor of English,
presented “The Rhetoric of Performance in
India: The Confluence of Nyaya Vada (logic) and
Sadharanikaran (performance) in Past and Present
Discourses” at the 19th Biennial Conference of the
International Society for the History of Rhetoric in
Chicago, Ill., July 23-28, 2013.
Mitch McKenney, assistant professor of
journalism and mass communication, presented
“Dancing with Trolls: Strategies for Story Comment
Management” at the Association for Education
in Journalism and Mass Communication in
Washington, D.C., August 7-10, 2013.
Jack McWhorter, associate professor of
art, exhibited “Cross Over/Science and Art:
Interconnectedness in Space and Time” at Utopic
Dimensions in Artistic Work: Sint-Lukas Brussels in
Brussels, Belgium, Dec. 15-20, 2013.
Deepraj Mukherjee, assistant professor of
economics:
Presented “Domestic Investment and Aid: The
Moderating Role of Political Stability” at the 76th
International Atlantic Economic Conference in
Philadelphia, Pa., Oct. 10-13, 2013.
Published Do Political Institutions and Culture
Jointly Matter for Financial Development? in the
Global Economy Journal, volume 13, issue 2,
pgs. 203-232.
Jayne Moneysmith, associate professor of
English, presented “Engaging Students through the
‘Flipped Classroom’ Model in a Blended (Hybrid)
Professional Writing Course” at the Association
for Business Communication Conference in New
Orleans, La., Oct. 23-25, 2013.
Thomas Norton-Smith, professor of philosophy,
presented “Person, Place and Sovereignty” at
the Summer Institute in American Philosophy
at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Ore.,
July 6-14, 2013.
Paula Sato, assistant professor of modern and
classical languages, presented “Trauma, Memory,
History in Cesaire’s Cahier d'un Retour au Pays
Natal” at the Rocky Mountain Modern Language
Association in Vancouver, Wash., Oct. 10-13, 2013.
Carrie Schweitzer, professor of geology,
co-authored the following presentations at the
Geological Society of America’s Annual Meeting
in Denver, Colo., Oct. 25-31, 2013:
“Decapods (shrimp, lobsters and crabs) and Their
Role in the Mesozoic Marine Revolution.”
“Mapping Spatial and Stratigraphic Distribution of
Decapods in the Luoping Biota (Middle Triassic) of
China: Refining Faunal Associations.”
“Intersex Specimens of the Fossil Crab Dakoticancer
Overanus from the Late Cretaceous Pierre Shale of
South Dakota, USA.”
“Taphonomy of the Blue Springs Locality, Coon
Creek Formation (Late Cretaceous), Mississippi:
Preservation of a Decapod Lagerstatten.”
“On the Origin and Evolution of True Crabs: Insights
from Northern South America.”
Lindsay Starkey, assistant professor of history,
presented “Gangrene or Cancer? The Decay of the
Body of the Church in John Calvin’s Exegesis of 2
Timothy 2:17” at the Sixteenth Century Society
and Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico,
Oct. 23-27, 2013.
Brandon Vaccaro, assistant professor of music,
and Jeffrey Tackett, assistant professor of
music, co-presented “Shifting Approaches in Music
Technology Lab Design” at the Eighth Art of Record
Production Conference in Universite Laval in Quebec,
Canada, July 11-15, 2013.
Carolyn Webber, assistant professor of
communication studies, presented “Doing the Job
in Pleasantville: The Particularity of Whiteness in a
County Juvenile Court” at the National Communication
Association Annual Convention in Washington, D.C.,
Nov. 21-24, 2013.
Lisa Waite, associate lecturer of communication
studies, presented “Communicating with Power
and Purpose” to the International Association of
Administrative Professionals, Indian Trails Chapter, in
Kent, Ohio, on Oct. 22, 2013.
Lori Wilfong, associate professor of education,
presented “CLA Master Class: Teaching Children’s
Literature in the 21st Century” at the National Council
of Teachers of English Annual Convention in Boston,
Mass., Nov. 21-24, 2013.
Staff Achievements
Faith Sheaffer-Polen, director of The Corporate
University, presented “Communications for the
Everyday Professional” for the Oral Communications
course at National College in Canton, Ohio, on June
25, 2013.
Emily L. Ribnik, clinical counselor and supervisor
in the Herbert W. Hoover Counseling Center:
Delivered training sessions on A.L.i.C.E. (AlertLockdown-Inform-Counter-Evacuate) procedures
for the following groups:
• Education majors at Walsh University in North
Canton, Ohio, on Sept. 17, 2013.
• Students at Kent State University at East Liverpool
in East Liverpool, Ohio, on Oct. 16, 2013.
• Faculty, staff and education majors at Kent State
University at Tuscarawas in New Philadelphia,
Ohio, on Oct. 23 and Nov. 19, 2013.
Presented “Verbal De-Escalation of Teens and
Young Adults” at the All-Ohio Counselors Conference
in Columbus, Ohio, on Nov. 28, 2013.
Conducted the training presentation “De-Escalation
of Teens and Young Adults” for the Metro SWAT
Dispatchers in Stow, Ohio, on Nov. 20, 2013.
stark.kent.edu
Stark Campus Faculty and Staff Achievements | page 27
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